Monday, April 22, 2013

SOLD to the HIGEST BIDDER! - inside interview with Author Teresa Stephens Richenberger

Hello to all the fantastic followers of Desert Coyote
Productions! We have started doing a ‘round-robin’ of interviews with DCP
authors, and today, it truly is my pleasure to be speaking with Teresa Stephens
Richenberger. Her book, “Sold to the
Highest Bidder”, has received a lot of notoriety. Welcome, Teresa, and
congratulations on your book’s success.

The fact that you have put your life story in print probably
had a big impact in many ways. Can you share some of that?

TSR: One of the biggest impacts that my book has had is that it lets people know there is always HOPE and to never give up on yourself or others. So many mothers have come to me and thanked me for renewing their faith for their children. At times, they’ve wanted to give up on their kids.

Did you decide on the title for you book? If not, how did
that develop?

TSR: The title of the book came about, first because I was
sold to the things in the world, and secondly, because I was sold to the
Highest Bidder of all, Jesus Christ. He paid the highest price for me - a price
no human man could ever pay.

I totally agree with you,
Teresa, and how fortunate for us Christ was the propitiation for our sins.

“Through My Eyes” by Quarterback Tim Tebow has been called a
Christian memoir book. Is that how you categorize “Sold to the Highest Bidder”?

TSR: Yes and no. My book tells my story about me coming to
Christ, but my book also reaches the secular readers as well. It will grip your
heart.

You’ve been at a myriad of functions since the book debuted
including the 700 Club and Seeds TV. Can you give our readers an introduction
to your work, and tell us more about other places where you’ve spoken?

TSR: I have spoken to inmates at the prison and shared to
women that are in women’s shelter and homes. I have also spoken at Texas Tech
University and several Christian universities, as well. I will share to 5 women
or 500 women …wherever God opens a door.

In another interview I read, you stated, ‘you couldn’t keep
up with the game your life was playing’. That’s pretty tough words. What
exactly did it mean?

TSR: The true reference is to the lies that I was living. The
fantasyland I had createdwas not real life. The drugs and alcohol was a way to
stay numb to what my life had become.

Well praise the Lord, because
looking at you today, that is so hard to visualize.

In your words, it took several years to ‘totally sell out to
God’. How did that finally come about?

TSR: I had to be completely broken and understand I could not
do it by myself; I needed a higher power (God) to help me.

Also being a Christian and a believer, I know what it means
to live under grace every day. Your journey presents such inspiration to so
many. It was a tremendous challenge to turn your life around as you have done. Please
share how it happened.

TSR: I was not an overnight success. It took a couple of
years for me to turn my life around, even after I accepted Jesus as my Savior.
I had to fight every single day to choose to do the right thing. I kept going
to church. Then, I got a couple of accountability partners who would hold me
accountable. I learned scriptures from the Bible and would say them aloud. I
had to start believing God’s word over mine, or my friends, that His word was
the truth about me.

The axiom “write what you know” seems to hold true here.
What complex barriers were encountered while traveling back through such a dark
and traumatic past?

TSR: I realized how lost and broken I really was. I would take
time out from writing and actually cry out to God thanking Him for rescuing me.
It reminded me of what I had come though and that God’s grace and mercy was
always there for me.

Obviously, you’ve acquired a considerable, loyal ‘fan base’.
So many appreciate and admire this dynamic testimony. Other than God, who has
been the greatest champion to facilitate the publishing of your work?

TSR: Desert Coyote, because I had no clue how to get my book
out there or set things up. Don A. Martinez has been wonderful with all his
help.

Yes ma’am, all of us as DCP
authors are indebted to Don, as well as his wife, Stacey. They both are amazingly
talented in their own respects.

There’s quite a lot of scripture quoted among the pages, but
I’m curious as to which verses had the most influence as a lifeline to bring
you to the place you are today?

TSR: II Timothy: “I do not have a spirit of fear, but power,
love, and a sound mind.” I live on this scripture, even today.

I agree, those are prodigious
words for all us to draw from.

Teresa, thank you for giving us some insight to your life’s
horrific ordeal and your journey through to God’s love and light. Is there
anything further you’d like to share?

TSR: That if you have faith, just the size of a mustard seed.
God can, and will, take that little seed and make a mighty tree! Never lose hope.
I encourage you to read my story, “Sold to the Highest Bidder!” You can get it
at Amazon books, and or Ebooks, Barnes & Noble, and of course on Kindle and
Nook.
It is also available on my website: www.teresarichenberger.com
Ask for it at your favorite bookstores because they can also order it for you.
Also, you can find me on Goodreads.com or Facebook as Teresa Richenberger.

If you are wrangling with
life and its difficulties, I encourage everyone to check out this great novel,
as well as keep up with this fantastic author because she is definitely going
places sharing her story and the Good News of salvation!

1 comment:

About Me

When I'm not writing, my husband and I dragrace. He has a 89 Z28 Camaro and I have an 81 Monte Carlo, white with pink stripes, of course. *smile* We met at the dragstrip and so... there's the beginning of a phenomenal story! We have 3 married sons who gave us a total of 9 gorgeous grandkids. God is SO good!